Neuro-Oncology Program

Neuro-Oncology Program

Gliomas, the most common form of brain tumors of the adult CNS, originate from neuroepithelial tissue and are classified morphologically as astrocytic, oligodendroglial, ependymal, and choroid plexus tumors. Glioblastoma multiforme (grade IV astrocytoma; GBM) is one of the most aggressive forms of brain tumors and a primary area of focus for the Neurooncology Group at MSCTR.

Gliomas, originate from the neuro-epithelial tissue and are classified morphologically as astrocytic, oligodendroglial, ependymal and choroid plexus tumors. Glioblastoma multiforme (grade IV astrocytoma; GBM) is one of the most aggressive, invasive, and destructive malignancies and has attracted clinical attention globally. In addition to uncontrolled proliferation and diffuse tissue invasion, neuro-degeneration is another attribute and a hall mark of malignant gliomas, the mechanism of which is poorly understood. Thus, there may be several processes that may be common between gliomas and neuro-degenerative disorders.

The focus of the Neuro-oncology Group at MSCTR will be:

To continue the discovery effort of understanding these tumors and the dynamics of associated molecular patterns from a clinical perspective. Also to relate the findings to neuro-degenerative conditions.

To develop well defined strategies, using the data that is already available, for translation to diagnostic, prognostic or therapeutic applications.

We envision implementation of the two arms in parallel, through a multi-disciplinary team effort, involving basic scientists with expertise in high throughput technologies, cell biologists, clinicians and informaticians. Embedded in these efforts will be the mission of mentoring young clinicians and research scientists who will lead MSCTR both as independent scientists and as a well-coordinated team directed towards improved neuro oncology practices. This will ensure continued institutional efforts. Gliomas, particularly Glioblastoma, are one of the most targeted tumors in clinical oncology research globally. Hence, the center will aim for networking with other national and international clinical centers in our efforts to formulate pioneering treatment models for malignant Glioblastoma.

People

Dr. Ravi Sirdeshmukh, Ph.D.
ravisirdeshmukh@gmail.com

Dr. Ravi Sirdeshmukhholds a joint appointment as Principal Advisor, Neuro-oncology Research at MSCTR. His research interests span in the areas of protein and nucleic acid biochemistry and his earlier work included RNA processing, mRNA stability, structure-function relationship of ‘ribonucleases’ and their regulation. More recently his interests have been in the areas of Proteomics of gliomas – a major class of brain tumors and Head & Neck cancers. He has trained and mentored a number of young associates, Ph.D. students and post-doctoral fellows. At MSCTR, he is spearheading translational research programs in brain tumors.

Raksha A. Ganesh, MSc
Senior Research Fellow
raksha.ganesh@ms-mf.org

After obtaining her Masters degree in Genetics from University of Mysore, she joined Center for Cellular and Molecular Biology, Hyderabad as a Junior Research Fellow, where she worked primarily on Functional Genomics and Cancer drug discovery. Currently she is pursuing Ph.D. and is a recipient of Senior Research Fellowship from ICMR. Her work constitutes developing a draft pathway map of an orphan GPCR in Glioblastoma multiforme through experimental and bioinformatics approaches.

Chaithra.B.A, MSc
Lab Assistant
chaithra.ba@ms-mf.org

After obtaining her master degree in Applied Genetics from the University of Bangalore, she worked as an intern for one month in the Molecular Diagnostics lab at MSCTR and for two months in Reametrixpvt.ltd, where she gained proficiency in several molecular biology techniques.Currently, she is working as a Research Assistant in MSCTR. Her work primarily involves maintaining the tissue repository for the Neuro-Oncology team and detailed follow-up of patients.

Pranali Sonpatki, MSc
Senior Research Fellow

After obtaining a Masters Degree in Bioinformatics she worked as a Bioinformatics Analyst for KovidBioAnalytics, Pune, where she worked for various universities providing services like NGS analysis and algorithm development. Currently she is working as a Senior Research Fellow and her work includes developing bioinformatics pipelinefor integrated multi-omic dataanalysis for the neuro-oncology group.

Manoj Kumar Gupta, MSc
Collaborator

After obtaining his M.Sc. degree in Biotechnology from Bangalore University, he worked as a Junior Research Fellow at Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bangalore and later worked as a Senior Research Fellow at the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CSIR-CCMB), Hyderabad. He is a recipient of Senior Research Fellowship from CSIR, Government of India and is currently pursuing Ph.D. at Institute of Bioinformatics (IOB) under the supervision of Dr. Ravi Sirdeshmukh. He is currently involved in the identification of cancer biomarkers and potential therapeutic targets for gliomas using proteomic approaches.

Savita Jayaram, MSc
Collaborator

Savita Jayaram obtained her M.S. degree in Molecular Genetics from Georgia State University, Atlanta and M.Sc. degree in Biochemistry from Hyderabad Central University, India. She has extensive experience in data annotation, data mining and use of bioinformatics software and worked at Iconix Biosciences, California; Nuvelo Inc., California; Accelrys Inc. and Strand Life Sciences. She is currently pursuing Ph.D. at Institute of Bioinformatics (IOB) under the supervision of Dr. Ravi Sirdeshmukhand her focus is multi-omic data analysis, data integration and deciphering altered signaling events for biomarker insights in Glioblastoma.

King, T. C., Sirdeshmukh, R. and Schlessinger, D. RNase III cleavage is obligate for maturation but not for function of Escherichia coli pre-23S rRNA. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America. 1984. 81, 185-188. PubMed